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Baby Boomers last in line for H1N1 vaccine
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The H1N1 virus isn't the threat to Baby Boomers and older
Americans that it is to others, so they'll be last in line when it
comes to getting the vaccine.
Usually, Baby Boomers and other older Americans are first in line for a flu vaccine. And while there is still the normal flu to be concerned about this season, the additional risk of the H1N1 flu has put older folks at an unusual place -- at the back of the line for this particular vaccine.
The vaccines for H1N1 -- previously known as Swine Flu -- started arriving yesterday in some areas of the country.
First in line, according to federal guidelines, are health care workers followed by pregnant women, teens and children.
Health care workers are the first responders in the event of an epidemic. Schools -- from the local elementary school to colleges and universities -- are also seen as vulnerable, as are pregnant women, for reasons that aren't quite clear yet.
And for reasons that aren't quite clear, older people have an a higher immunity to this particular strain.
Normally during the flu season it's the elderly who are highly encouraged to get the seasonal flu shot. That remains the case this year.
But the H1N1 virus seems to have different plans when it comes to Baby Boomers and especially the elderly.
According to the stats, confirmed cases in Americans 65 and older is just 0.06 per 100,000, compared with 2.6 per 100,000 for the group with the highest infection rates, children 5 to 11.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a web site devoted to the virus and its guidelines cover just about everyone except Baby Boomers and the elderly.
For everyone, it suggests every day precautions:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it;
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way;
- Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
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